Chapter 63

That day, I was called to the mansion by Kyle. Today, the maid Ryuko was also called along with me.

I am often called, but that day, Kyle's behavior was clearly different.

Since his illness had been cured, Kyle had been smiling more, but on this day, he was particularly beaming.

It seemed something good had happened.

Perhaps the third crop of wheat had gone well?

I was the only one called, but Reifan was already in the room.

This was also a common occurrence, but Reifan was smiling even more than usual, which felt off.

I sat down and was offered tea, and as usual, Myna climbed onto my lap.

Myna also seemed to be in an unusually good mood, swinging her legs.

Ladies shouldn't be so unladylike?

But it's fine since she looks happy.

Persia and Alphard stood behind Kyle.

Alphard, who is responsible for the military and also serves as a bodyguard, has been leaving most of the work to the capable Degard Bismarck. It's good to delegate tasks that can be shared.

The two of them had their usual serious expressions, but their mouths seemed to be slightly relaxed, as if they were trying to hide a smile.

What's really going on?

While drinking tea, I finished my work first. After I finished the recent report, Kyle stood up as if he couldn't wait any longer.

"Craft Brother! Actually, there's something I want you to see!"

"Ah."

It seems we're finally getting to the point.

"Please follow me!"

Kyle first left the mansion building.

I thought the thing he wanted to show us was in the garden, but he crossed the garden and went out through the main gate.

If we were going on a long trip, there wouldn't even be a carriage prepared.

Kyle walked without hesitation along the wall that surrounded the garden and the mansion. Then, I noticed that right next to it, there was another wall with the same design as the one surrounding the Kyle residence.

It was about the same size as the wall around the Kyle residence.

Of course, I knew that construction had started a few months ago to build this wall.

The inside of the wall was covered with a large cloth, so I didn't know what was being built, but I assumed it was either an extension of the Kyle residence or a guest house.

The cloth was probably set up to prevent construction dust from reaching Kyle.

It seemed that today was the unveiling of the new or guest house.

However, something was bothering me.

It felt like everyone except Ryuko and me already knew about it.

I didn't think Kyle would keep secrets from me, so it just felt strange.

When we reached the main gate of the new house, it indeed had the same gate design as the Kyle residence. However, the Kyle family crest was not carved on it.

By the way, the crest here refers to a family emblem or mark, not the floating crest on my left hand.

Perhaps the crest will be carved after the unveiling?

For nobles, the family crest is very important, so it would be impossible not to carve it on the flag or gatepost.

As I was pondering this, I noticed many workers behind the wall.

The workers were standing in front of the ropes that held down the cloth covering the house, so it was clear that the unveiling was about to happen.

I waved to a few familiar workers, and they waved back happily.

They were very pleased to work for Kyle, so their good mood made sense.

"Craft Brother, please stand there."

"What?"

The spot I was pointed to was right in the center of the open gate. It seemed like the place where Kyle should stand.

"Here...?"

"It's fine. Please stand here."

"O-Okay."

His tone was unusually firm, so I instinctively stood up straight.

Kyle stood to the right, and Myna stood to the left.

Myna, don't pull your cloak so rhythmically. You might fall off.

"Everyone! Please!"

The workers responded to Kyle's signal and pulled the ropes all at once.

Then,

"...Huh?"

It was indeed a mansion.

A very elaborate mansion, built with the same style as the Kyle residence, combining the trends of the capital and a sense of grandeur.

It was also a three-story building, and the decorations on the roof and windows were very similar.

So far, there was nothing surprising.

But this building was different.

There were several key differences in its construction compared to the Kyle residence.

The most distinctive feature was the semi-circular architectural style attached to both sides of the mansion. This design, which included two alchemy rooms, was the one Mr. Jabeel had proposed.

Imagine the tower split vertically and attached to both sides of the mansion.

The semi-circular parts were two stories high, and several long chimneys extended from their tops.

Moreover, from the lack of windows, I immediately understood the purpose of the rooms inside.

"Could it be... alchemy rooms?"

"Craft Brother, you're amazing!"

"No, no, no! It's exactly like the 'Consideration of the Ideal Alchemy Mansion' in Mr. Jabeel's book! The base is the Kyle residence, but the added parts are exactly the alchemy rooms described in the book! There's no way I wouldn't recognize it!"

"Yes! I asked Reifan to design it!"

At that, Reifan puffed out her chest.

"It was really difficult. I read Mr. Jabeel's book, and it said things like the shelves for experimental tools should be here, materials should be separated by type on the left and right of the living area, and the alchemy cauldron should be here with a detailed exhaust system. I really felt how brilliant Craft's teacher is."

Reifan, who is skilled enough to struggle, made that clear with her proud expression.

When I first got the book, I had lent it to Reifan when she peeked at it in the production guild. I only remembered the exterior design.

And now, the mansion with the alchemy rooms Mr. Jabeel idealized was right in front of me.

What's going on?

"Hey... Kyle. I can't believe it, but..."

My voice was trembling. I knew the answer but wanted to deny it.

"Yes! Of course, it's a gift for Craft Brother!!"

"「「「Wow!」」」"

"Congratulations, Craft!"

"That's great, Craft!"

"Congr...atulations..."

The workers, who had finished removing the cloth and ropes, gathered and offered their congratulations.

I was completely frozen for a while, but as the stiffness left my body, I raised my voice.

"No, no, no!? I can't accept this! How much did it cost!?"

It's not just about the money.

Who in their right mind would allow a mansion larger than the one of the noble who governs this land to be built next to it!

"Please don't worry!"

Kyle clapped his hands excitedly.

"What?"

"Look over there!"

Following Kyle's finger, I saw a corner where the fence of the Kyle residence and the new mansion's fence overlapped.

Upon closer inspection, there was a door.

"There's a direct door connecting my mansion to your mansion, so you don't need to go out the main gate and take a detour!"

"No, wait! What's reassuring about that!? Think about security a bit!"

That's not the point I wanted to make!

But it came out in the heat of the moment.

"Huh? It's Craft Brother's mansion, right? There's no problem with a direct connection, is there?"

"No! There are plenty of problems!?"

I turned to Persia and Alphard in a panic, but they just smiled wryly.

No! Stop it! You two bodyguards!

"No, no! That's not it! There's no way I can receive such a grand gift! The residents wouldn't accept it either!"

This time, I turned to the workers.

These were skilled workers who had moved to this area. They wouldn't approve of such obvious favoritism!

"No way! When Lord Kyle secretly asked us to build it for Craft, I was thrilled! Of course, I happily participated!"

"Me too! Me too! The workers who couldn't participate in this project were really envious!"

"During the planning stage, three times as many workers as planned gathered."

"Even though we said the workers' pay would be less because it would be divided among the workshops from the total construction budget, no workshop backed out!"

"Of course! It's for Craft! While we can't do it for free, we're willing to do it for less than usual!"

"Right! It was an honor to work on this project!"

What!?

What's going on!?

This is bad. At this rate, I'll have to accept it!

I need something, anything, to reject it!

"Th-That's it! Even if I get such a big mansion, I can't manage it! I can't even clean it!"

"It's possible."

"Huh?"

Ryuko's voice came from behind me.

She is a unique maid, the only one in the world, created using homunculus, golem, familiar, and dragon tooth warrior technology.

Her beautiful green hair reflected the light.

What did she say?

"Don't worry. Leave it to me."

"Wait, what? This size? I don't clean, and Ryuko alone...?"

"No problem."

"Hey! The garden is huge! There's even a rose garden! You can't maintain it!"

"No problem. I can do it."

No way...

The Kyle residence, including its garden, is a mansion of appropriate size for the new Golden Dawn.

It looks small because of the first wall behind it, but it's actually quite large.

What? There's no way Ryuko can maintain it alone?

As if hearing my thoughts, Ryuko repeated herself.

"No problem, Master."

"O-Okay."

"Yes."

So... it's okay